Pay by Role
United States · Salary comparison

Data Scientist vs QA Engineer salary

In United States, a data scientist earns about 20% more than a qa engineer $132,000 vs $110,000 per year.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Pays more
Technology
Data Scientist
$132,000/yr
Monthly
$11,000
Hourly
$63
Range
$82,100$193,000
10-yr outlook
+35%
Technology
QA Engineer
$110,000/yr
Monthly
$9,200
Hourly
$53
Range
$74,400$153,600
10-yr outlook
+20%

Pay range, side by side

PercentileData ScientistQA Engineer
Entry (10th)$82,100$74,400
25th$107,100$92,200
Median$132,000$110,000
75th$162,500$131,800
Senior (90th)$193,000$153,600

National United States figures in USD. Individual pay varies with experience, employer, and location.

More Technology comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Does a data scientist or qa engineer earn more in United States?
A data scientist earns more, at about $132,000 per year vs $110,000 for a qa engineer — roughly 20% ($22,000) more.
What is the salary range for these roles in United States?
A data scientist typically earns $82,100–$193,000, while a qa engineer earns $74,400–$153,600 per year.
How much do these jobs pay per month in United States?
On a monthly basis before tax, a data scientist averages about $11,000 and a qa engineer about $9,200.
How do entry-level salaries compare?
At the 10th percentile in United States, a data scientist earns about $82,100 while a qa engineer earns about $74,400 per year.
How do senior-level salaries compare?
At the 90th percentile in United States, a data scientist earns about $193,000 while a qa engineer earns about $153,600 per year.
Are data scientist and qa engineer similar careers?
Both roles sit in the Technology category on Pay by Role, which is why we compare them head-to-head. Day-to-day work still differs — review each job page for skills and outlook.